Thunderstorms hit four states on Sunday leaving over 60 dead and several injured; IMD issues warning for next 24 hours

A day after IMD issued a high alert that a dust storm with heavy rain is to hit the national capital Delhi and adjacent isolated region on Sunday. Traffic came to a crawl at several areas in Delhi- NCR as the strong wind, reaching up to 70 kmph, picked up dust and swirled them around, reducing visibility in the region. Dust storms and squall which hit nearby 4 states of India killed at least 60 people in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, national capital Delhi and adjacent region.

The weather took a sudden turn on Sunday and sky turned dark from a bright day within a matter of seconds as the heavy dust storm hit several areas Delhi and NCR. Uttar Pradesh bore the maximum brunt of the thunderstorm and hail that left at least 18 people dead, while 12 people, including four children, were killed in West Bengal. Nine people lost their lives in Andhra Pradesh and two in Delhi, officials said.

Duststorms affects rail services in the national capital, flights were diverted from IGI. According to a senior Delhi Traffic Police officer, traffic was affected in Lutyens' Delhi, West and South Delhi.

Thunderstorm and dust storm with wind speeds of up to 70 km per hour is "very likely" today in 26 districts of UP, the Met department said.

As per reports, 12 people, including four children, were on Sunday killed in West Bengal after lightning struck them amid heavy rains. While, Andhra Pradesh saw nine deaths, and Delhi witnessed two deaths. Nearly 100 houses were gutted in a fire which broke out due to lightning in UP's Sambhal. Nine people were killed in Andhra Pradesh, officials said.

The storm killed at least 18 people in Uttar Pradesh and over 28 people were injured. Near about 37 houses were damaged in the hail and thunderstorm, Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary (Information) Awanish Awasthi said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) earlier predicted that there is a possibility of thunderstorm accompanied with a squall and gusty wind will hit states across the country on Sunday.

Thunderstorm over the hill states and its subsequent effect on the plains in north India is due to a new western disturbance from Sunday, according to the IMD. According to the IMD advisory, heavy rain is “very likely” at isolated places in Karnataka, Lakshadweep and Kerala.

As per reports, 12 people, including four children, were on Sunday killed in West Bengal after lightning struck them amid heavy rains. While, Andhra Pradesh saw nine deaths, and Delhi witnessed two deaths. Nearly 100 houses were gutted in a fire which broke out due to lightning in UP's Sambhal. Nine people were killed in Andhra Pradesh, officials said.

The storm killed at least 18 people in Uttar Pradesh and over 28 people were injured. Near about 37 houses were damaged in the hail and thunderstorm, Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary (Information) Awanish Awasthi said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) earlier predicted that there is a possibility of thunderstorm accompanied with a squall and gusty wind will hit states across the country on Sunday.

Thunderstorm over the hill states and its subsequent effect on the plains in north India is due to a new western disturbance from Sunday, according to the IMD. According to the IMD advisory, heavy rain is “very likely” at isolated places in Karnataka, Lakshadweep and Kerala.